IRAQ: DUTCH SUPPORT TRANSITION - ENCOURAGING

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002142 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2013 TAGS: PREL IZ NL SUBJECT: IRAQ: DUTCH SUPPORT TRANSITION - ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO DO SO REF: A. SECSTATE 238110 ¶B. WITMER-HOLLIDAY EMAIL 8/22 ¶C. THE HAGUE 2063 ¶D. THE HAGUE 01893 Classified By: PolCouns Mary E. Daly Reaons 1.5 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The GoNL continues to support the transition phase in Iraq politically, militarily and financially. The Dutch are also working behind the scenes within the EU to encourage other member states to more actively contribute to this effort. Nevertheless, the Dutch do not want to be viewed as part of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in order to maintain domestic support for Dutch contributions. In response to recent attacks in Baghdad, the Dutch Embassy has reduced staffing. End Summary. Summary of Dutch Contributions -------------- ¶2. (C) PolOff and EconOff conveyed reftel to Adri van Loopik, head of the MFA's Gulf States division. The GoNL is supporting the transition in Iraq in numerous ways. In addition to the approximately 1,100 troops dispatched in the southern Al Muthanna region of Iraq, the GoNL has given approximately EURO 21 million for humanitarian assistance (ref D). The Ministry of Economic Affairs has allocated EUR 3 million in funding (reconstruction aid) to promote Dutch business in Iraq. The MFA recently announced it would give EUR 300,000 to aid in the de-mining of Iraq. and is looking to support the mass graves project (ref C) with personnel and funding. The Dutch will not allocate any bilateral funding to Iraq at the October donor's meeting, preferring to support any additional traditional aid/reconstruction assistance via the European Union. Political Support for Transition Phase -------------- ¶3. (C) Van Loopik noted that the Dutch government supports the establishment of the Governing Council (GC),and the Dutch Embassy in Baghdad meets regularly with members of the GC. (Note: The Dutch Embassy had contact with numerous of the GC prior to its establishment. End Note.) Behind the scenes, the Dutch are actively encouraging other EU members to support the transition phase. However, van Loopik noted that support would be more easily obtained following the passage of an additional UNSC resolution. A new resolution could give countries, EU and otherwise, the political cover needed to more actively support the transition phase. ¶4. (C) Domestically, it is important to the GoNL to be viewed as supporting the stabilization force and the humanitarian/reconstruction effort, but not/not to be part of the "occupying power"/CPA itself. Therefore, the GoNL has decided not/not to provide any civil servants, nor pay for the participation of any private citizens, to work within the CPA. However, van Loopik commented that the GoNL does not oppose the participation of private Dutch citizens in the CPA if funded from non-GoNL sources. Drawdown of Dutch Embassy in Baghdad -------------- ¶5. (C) Following the attacks on both the Jordanian Embassy and the UNHQ, the GoNL reduced staffing at its Embassy in Baghdad. Three staff remain: the Charge, Administrative Counselor, and Defense Attache. Two staff members (including the Queen's nephew, an MFA diplomat) were recalled. Two others, a deputy defense attache and half-time consular officer, were prevented from assuming their posts. An MFA security team will likely return the week of August 25 to reassess security around the chancery/residence. (Note: The residence, where all staff are currently residing, is directly above the Embassy.) SOBEL